Game recaps from September 27-28

Whitehaven 47 Ridgeway 40

We have another candidate for game of the year. This was a back and forth affair that featured almost 1,000 yds of total offense between the two teams (Whitehaven-564, Ridgeway-412). Whitehaven trailed 27-13 at the half and 34-19 with 2 minutes left in the third quarter before mounting the comeback with 28 points over the final 14 minutes of action. The Tigers have largely relied on the 1-2 punch of senior RB's Ramadi Warren & Marshawn Jones but it was a couple of juniors that had their own coming out party. QB Jordan Williams had an unbelievable night, finishing 15-22 for 322 yds and 5 TD's while rushing for 104 yds on 11 carries and 2 more touchdowns, giving him all 7 scores on the night. After Ridgeway had retaken the lead at 40-39, Williams hit Warren with a 62 yd TD pass to give the Tigers the win. WR Braylen Rochell caught 5 passes for 108 yds and 3 TD's.If Whitehaven's offense is clicking like this, they will be awfully hard to beat. Ridgeway's Earl Harrison was very impressive as well. The junior had 26 carries for 209 yds and 2 TD's. JR QB Braxton Conard was 10-26 for 112 yds and a TD while rushing for a TD as well. Here is a link to the game story from John Varlas of the Commercial Appeal: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/27/whitehaven-qb-throws-for-five-tds-runs-for-2-in/



Olive Branch 49 Southaven 12

The annual "Backyard Brawl" ended up being not so much. Matter of fact, if this was a boxing match, they would have stopped it early. Olive Branch had their foot on the pedal and didn't let up in dominating this game. They scored the first 28 points of the game and had over 500 yds of total offense for the game. JR QB Ross Trail was 11-16 for 194 yds and 3 TD's. JR Dontavis Bruce had almost 200 yds of total offense (9 for 77-rushing, 7 catches for 117 yds) himself to go with 3 TD's. Southaven QB Shea Chism finished 21-39 for 250 yds and a TD, which went to JR WR Tedrick Wiggins (7 catches, 100 yds). Here is a link to the game story from Chris Van Tuyl from the Commercial Appeal: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/27/olive-branch-offense-overwhelms-southaven/

Trezevant 42 Douglass 0

Another dominating performance turned in from the top defensive team in the Shelby Metro area.The Bears came into the game allowing the fewest pts per game (7.4) and fewest yds per game (96.6). They got their 3rd shutout of the year and allowed only 41 yds in the game as JR LB Nicholas Clay returned a fumble for a TD. JR RB Jamal Jones continues his outstanding play. Jones only carried 5 times on the night but they went for 90 yds and TD's of 24 & 39.

FACS 23 Halls 6

The Crusaders remain unbeaten and on a collision course with ECS for control of the division as they came from behind to get the win. FACS trailed 6-0 in the first quarter before settling down and taking control of the game. The Crusaders defense only allowed 116 yds for the game and SO Khari Henley scooped up a blocked punt and returned it 44 yds for a score. James Alexander led the way on offense with 12 carries for 95 yds and 2 TD's while the area's leading rusher, Kortney Morris, finished with 17 carries for 93 yds.

Houston 35 Bartlett 9

The Mustangs remain one of the few unbeaten teams in the area and had 450 yds of total offense (291 rushing, 159 passing) as they overcame an early deficit after a quarter. Bartlett led 6-0 before the Mustangs exploded for 21 points in the second. JR's Jared Schimdt and Chase Moss-Pioreck connected on touchdowns of 27 and 54 to give Houston a lead they would not relinquish. Schimdt finished 7-13 for 159 yds to go with the two scores. SR's Malik Elion and Walker Lamberth took care of business on the ground. Elion had 160 yds on 21 carries and a TD while Lamberth only carried the ball 5 times but totaled 105 yds and 2 scores. Here is a link to the game story from the Commercial Appeal: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/27/balanced-houston-offense-rolls-over-bartlett/

Arlington 56 Raleigh Egypt 8

The Tigers improved to 5-1 on the year as 7 different players scored in the game. Arlington led 13-8 after 1 and put the game away with 36 points in the second quarter. SR QB Hunter Sheffield was 12-15 for 132 yds and 3 TD's and SR RB Blance Draine had 2 scores(1 rushing, 1 receiving) on the night and the Arlington defense only allowed 63 yds of total offense to the Pharoahs.

Lewisburg 31 Center Hill 28 (OT)

Patriots SO QB Jake Harville had over 300 yds of total offense by himself but it took teammate Xavier Maxwell's 27 yd FG in OT to escape with the win. Lewisburg led at the half 28-14 only to see the Mustangs tie it and send the game to the extra period. Harville was 10-15 for 161 yds and a TD and rushed for 146 yds on 12 carries and a TD and JR RB Colton Freeman had 2 scores for the Patriots. Center Hill came back behind JR RB Kaelin Thomas and SO QB Dan Ellington. Thomas rushed for 2 TD's and174 yds on 25 carries. Ellington had almost 200 yds of total offense (122 rushing, 69 passing) to go with 2 scores (1 rushing, 1 passing).

CBHS 34 White Station 23

The Brothers trailed by 3 heading into the fourth quarter and came back behind the offensive line and SR RB Connor Harris. QB Breck Ruddick was sidelined with a high ankle sprain and it forced CBHS to be one dimensional. Even though the Spartans knew what was coming, they couldn't stop the Purple Wave as they rushed over 300 yds in the game. Harris, who coming into the game had the most carries of anyone in the Shelby Metro area (128), had 26 carries for 184 yds and 2 TD's both coming in the fourth quarter. SR QB Cedrick Wilson was 11-17 for 205 yds and a TD for the Spartans. SR TE Grant Lewis had 2 scores as well.

MUS 35 Lafayette MS 7

Big plays and a near perfect performance from their quarterback are the reason the Owls are now 4-2 on the year. This game was 14-7 at the half and it didn't take long for MUS to put the game away. On the second play of scrimmage in the third quarter, SR QB James Sexton hit SR WR Devin Perry with a 45 yd TD and after 50 seconds of play, the Owls had doubled their lead. The quick strike attack continued later in the quarter as Perry hauled in his 2nd TD of the quarter as he took a pass from SR QB Blake Bennett and went 68 yds for a score. 1 play, 68 yds and a TD and the very next possession was just as quick. Bennett hit SR WR Witt Hawkins for a 77 yd TD. Bennett was 8-9 passing for 242 yds to go with the two scores. For the second straight week, SR LB Michael Fitzsimmons had a huge game. Last week in the win over South Panola, he had 17 tackles and was even better this week finishing with 19 tackles.

Brighton 35 Columbia 0

It's always nice to go on the road and get a shutout win. The Brighton defense was dominant in this one holding the Lions to -4 yds rushing and forcing 4 turnovers (3 INT, 1 FR). Offensively, the Cardinals were led by SR Zach Ballard. Ballard had 22 carries for 143 yds and 3 TD's on the night. Here is a link to the game story from the Columbia newspaper.

columbiadailyherald.com/sections/sports/preps/cardinals-deny-lions’-offense.html


Marion 46 Mountain Home 35

A wild affair that featured over 800 yds of total offense between the two teams. 411 of the 419 yds that Marion had on the night came via the ground. Dereon Thomas had 17 carries for 142 yds and 2 TD's and Andreas Jackson had 10 carries for 115 yds and a TD. Special teams was huge in this game as the Patriots returned 2 kicks for touchdowns (Fernando Smith-90 yds, Trey Chambers-87 yds). Smith added another touchdown rushing. Here is a link to the game story from the Mountain Home newspaper.
http://www.baxterbulletin.com/article/20130928/SPORTS/309280027/Heartbreaker-Bombers?nclick_check=1
ECS 35 USJ 10

This is a possible playoff matchup and the Eagles went on the road to Jackson and came back with the win. As usual, SR's Cole Heotis and Preston Parrish led the way. Parrish was 10-14 for 225 yds and touchdowns of 30 and 72 yds. The 72 yd play went to Heotis and the score put ECS ahead to stay. Heotis caught 4 passes for 128 yds and he took over the game after halftime with 3 second half rushing touchdowns en route to finished with 90 yds on 10 carries.

Sheffield 18 Fairley 6

If you didn't know already, you might need to take notice. The Sheffield defense is pretty good. They came into the game ranked in the top 20 in the area in fewest points per game (16.7), fewest rushing yds allowed (106.3), fewest passing yds allowed (72) and fewest total yds allowed per game(178.3). They were even better Friday night vs the Bulldogs. The Knights gave up 138 yds and just 6 points en route to the win. SR QB Vincent Downhart had 13 carries for 122 yds and a TD and was 4-8 passing for 54 yds.

Cordova 31 Wooddale 8

This game was delayed by a day due to a burst pipe and the Wolves made sure that there would not be a slow start for their team. Cordova took the opening possession of the game and went 73 yds in 11 plays  and chewed up 4 and a half minutes of the clock to score their first touchdown and take a lead that they wouldn't give up. SR LB Vassiel Benson picked off a pass (one of 3 INT's) moments later and returned it 37 yds for a TD and Cordova never looked back. SR RB Charles Taylor led the Wolves with 151 yds rushing on 25 carries and a TD. SR QB Jireh Fordham was 10-18 for 108 yds passing and a TD while rushing for a TD as well. SR's Brandon Robinson and David Edwards hooked up for a 73 yd TD pass for the lone Wooddale score.

Lausanne 31 Tipton Rosemark 21

The Lynx improve to 4-1 in their first varsity season by scoring 10 fourth quarter points to get the win. JR QB Spencer Mackey's third touchdown of the game put Lausanne ahead to stay. JR QB Logan Stewart did all he could for the Rebels to keep them in the game. Stewart rushed for 88 yds on 22 carries and 2 TD's and was 5-8 passing for 76 yds.

Germantown 47 Kingsbury 8

The Red Devils got contributions from all three phases of the game en route to the win. On defense, SO FS Christian Willett picked off a pass and returned it 21 yds for a score and the defense got a safety as well when it tackled the punter in the end zone. On special teams, SR RB Anthony Quinn returned a kickoff 91 yds for a score and he had 77 yds rushing on 6 carries. Offensively, Germantown rushed for almost 250 yds and had 3 different players score TD and SR QB Wesley Dacus threw a TD pass as well. 

BTW 58 KIPP 6

The Warriors hit the ground running and raced out to a 20-0 lead after 1 as they earned their first win of the season. SR QB Patrick Franklin was outstanding, going 5-6 for 135 yds and touchdowns of 25,36 and 48 yds. SR Terrence Mabry had 2 TD's including a 28 yd fumble return. The BTW defense had 3 interceptions in addition that fumble returned only allowed 91 yds on the night and with 55 of those coming on a TD pass from Teli Crawford to Jerron Fisher for the Phoenix.

Grenada 51 DeSoto Central 14

The Jaguars jumped out to a 6-0 lead and only trailed 9-6 at the half before the roof caved in. SO QB Cameron Bowman threw for 204 yds and a TD but DeSoto Central could not slow down the Grenada rushing attack.

East 27 Briarcrest 21

They always say that things come in threes and they were most definitely right in this game. Whether they were good or bad depends on which team you were talking to. Briarcrest led 13-7 at the half and fumbled on 3 straight possessions, including 2 kickoffs and East took advantage by scoring 20 unanswered points in that third quarter.  The Saints had 5 turnovers in the game. SO RB DeVante Turner led the Mustangs with 110 yds rushing on 16 carries and 3 TD's. SR QB Marvellous Jackson had 159 yds of total offense (73 rushing, 86 passing) and a TD as well. SO RB Rashad Muhammad had 2 TD's for Briarcrest.

St. George's 27 St. Benedict 10

The Gryphons broke open a close game with 17 4th quarter points to earn the win. St. George's led 10-3 after the third quarter. SR QB Dean Brown led the way with 274 yds of total offense (15-128 rushing, 12-25-146 passing). SR WR William Brown caught 5 passes for 101 yds. St. Benedict juniors Mark Kovacs and LaDarius Jordan connected for the only TD for the Eagles. Kovacs had 161 yds passing in the game.

Carver 54 Northside 0

The Cobras evened their overall record at 3-3 but more importantly improved to 3-1 in the district and their defense was the big reason why. Carver held Northside to 57 yds of total offense and Keywon Hyman  returned an interception 26 yds for a score and Jermari Wesley returned an interception 31 yds for a score to lead the way. QB Anthony Foster threw for 2 scores and rushed for another.

North Delta 20 Northpoint Christian 19

JR QB Dalton Markle did all he could to get the Trojans in position to win the game but woes in the kicking game determined the outcome. Northpoint Christian had one extra point blocked and missed another that would have tied the game. The Trojans had almost 400 yds of total offense in the game with Markle accounting for the majority of it. He had 91 yds rushing on 21 carries and 2 TD's while going 20-36 passing for 202 yds.

Tupelo 41 Hernando 7

This game was close early before the visitors pulled away. JR RB Leon Cunningham had a 34 yd TD run for the Tigers' only score.